Yarn treating processes and compositions therefor



Patented July 11, 1939 YARN TREATING PROCESSES AND COMPO- SITIONSTHEREFOR Joseph B. Dickey and James B. Normington, Rochester, N. Y.,assignors to Eastman Kodak Company, Rochester, N. Y., a corporation ofNew Jersey No Drawing. Application November 26, 1937, Serial No. 176,694

18 Claims.

-This invention relates to the conditioning of textile yarns and moreparticularly to the conditioning of .filaments and yarns composed oforganic derivatives of cellulose such as cellulose acetate, celluloseacetate propionate, cellulose acetate butyrate, etc., to render themmore amenable to textile operations such as knitting and the like.

As is well-known in the manufacture of yarns, particularly thosecomposed of or containing cellulose organic derivatives, it is necessaryto treat the yarn in order to reduce the tendency toward breakage of theindividual filaments or fibers when they are subjected to variousmechanical strains a'ndto lubricate the yarn in order to facilitatehandling in such operations as spinning, twisting, winding and reeling.In addition, it is necessary to treat yarn to adapt it for use as warpor filling or for the manufacture of various types of knitted fabrics.In knitting, it is particularly important that the yarn be soft andpliable in order that it may conform readily to the contour of theneedles and thus produce a closely knit fabric free from such defects as25 stitch distortion, pin holes, laddering, and

the like.

Heretofore it has been proposed to employ softening agents such aspolyhydric alcohols and similar agents as ingredients of yarnconditioning or lubricating formulas, generally in connection withmineral, animal, or vegetable oils. It has been found, however, thatmost of the known softening agents and the various formulas containingthem have certain drawbacks, one of the most serious of which is highvapor pressure, and in some cases too drastic a solvent action on theyarn. Many of such agents possess slight or insufficient solvent powerfor the lubricants with which they are used, and it is accordinglynecessary to employ blending agents or emulsifying agents in order toobtain operable yarn treating .ormulas. In addition, many of the knownsoftening and lubricating agents are insufliciently soluble in water topermit satisfactory removal by aqueous scour baths.

This invention has as its principal object to provide an entirely newclass of yarn conditioning agents which are particularly adapted for thetreatment of yarns composed of or containing organic derivatives 'ofcellulose and capable of lubricating, softening and rendering such yarnsmore amenable to knitting and other textile operations. A further andspecific object is to provide a class of conditioning agents whichaugment or assist the lubricating action of various lubricants whenapplied to such yarns. A still further object is to provide yarnsoftening and lubricating formulas which can be readily removed from theyarns by the usual scour baths. A still further object is to provide animproved method for the conditioning of yarns, particularly thosecomposed of orcontaining organic derivatives of cellulose such ascellulose acetate, whereby the yarn is rendered soft and pliable andcapable of employment in a variety of textile operations wherecomplicated designs or stitches are employed.

These objects are accomplished by the following invention which-initsbroader aspects comprises the discovery that acetals having the generalformula where R and R are the same or difierent alkyl or alkoxyalkylgroups, may be used as yarn conditioning agents and particularly assoftening agents with or without the addition of animal, mineral, orvegetable oils in the treatment of yarns composed of or containingorganic derivatives of cellulose. We have found that these compoundshave a slight solvent and/or softening action on cellulose organicderivative yarns which renders such yarns soft and pliable without atthe same time having too drastic a solvent action thereon.

In accordance with the invention these compounds may be applied directlyto the yarn during or after spinning, or may be added to the spinningsolution itself. We have found that these compounds have exceptionalsolvent powers which enable them to dissolve mineral oils and blown andunblown, drying and semi-drying, vegtable and animal oils andaccordingly they may be, and preferably are, employed as ingredients ofyarn conditioning or lubricating formulas in conjunction with agentswhich function wholly or partially as lubricants.

In the following examples and description we have set forth several ofthe preferred embodiments of our invention, but they are included merelyfor purposes of illustration and not as a limitation thereof.

The above-indicated class of compounds which we have found exceptionallyeffective as yarn conditioning agents may be prepared by following thetechnique described in the following literature references:

, typical applications of the invention are set forth:

Example I .--Yarn composed of cellulose acetate and designed forknitting purposes is treated by applying theretotetrahydrofurfuraldipropylal by means of an applicator roll. 7 Theamount of the conditioning liquid may run from' 4-25% by weight of theyarn. If the yarn is intended for weaving, the same procedure may befollowed except that the amount of the conditioning agent added to theyarn is only about 1-5%.

Example II.-A conditioning liquid is made up by mixing the followingingredients in the indicated proportions:

Percent Tetrahydrofurfuraldiethylal 70 Olive oil 30 This composition isapplied to a cellulose acetate yarn intended for knittingin an amountrepresenting 4-25% by weight of the untreated yarn. The filaments orfibers thus treated are quite soft and pliable and give excellentresults in textile operations, especially knitting.

Other examples of yarn conditioning compositions which may be applied tovarious typesof yarn, particularly cellulose acetate, cellulose acetatepropionate, and similar cellulose orgahic'derivative yarns in accordancewith our invention and which render such yarns soft and pliable andwell-adapted for various textile operations, particularly knitting, arethe following:

Example III:

Percent Tetrahydrofurfuraldipropylal 60 Blown olive oil 40 Example IV:

Tetrahydrofurfuraldi fl methoxyethylal Light mineral oil 30 Example V:

Tetrahydrofurfuraldi-p-ethoxyethylal 30 Neats-foot oil 70 Example VI:Tetrahydrofurfuraldimethylal 20 Blown neats-foot oil 30 Sulfonated oliveoil 20 White mineral oil 10 Oleic acid 10 Ethanolamine -3 Water 7Example VII:

Tetrahydrofurfuraldiethyla1 20 Sperm oil 60 Lauryl alcohol 20 ExampleVIII 4 Tetrahydrofurfuraldimethylal 50 Blown sperm oil 30 Sulfonatedcastor oil 20 Example IX.A 20% solution of cellulose acetate in acetonein which is incorporated 125% of the weight of the cellulose acetate, oftetrahydrofurfuraldimethylal, is extruded through flne orifices into anevaporative atmosphere. filaments thus produced are wound or twisted andwound. Yarns produced from filaments thus prepared are pliable andsuitable for knitting.

Other examples of yarn conditioning compositions which may be employedin accordance with our invention are the following;

oxyethylal; 75 Example XIII:

Teaseed oil i 25 Oleic acid 25 Sulfonated castor oil 30'I'etrahydrofurfural di-p-ethoxy-p-ethoxyethylal -i 20- Example XIV: I

Blown neats-foot oil i 25 'Cetvl sulfate ammonium salt 4 Oleic acid Q 26Mineral oil 20 Tetrahydrofurfural di-fi-methoxyethylal 25 As will beapparent from the above examples and description, the conditioningagents of our invention may be applied by a wide variety of methods. Forexample, we may employ the agent asaningredient of the spinning dopefrom which the filaments are formed, the amount of the agent so employeddepending upon a number of factors, such as the particular cellulosederivative used in making the yarn, the solvent or solvent combinationused inmaking up the spinning' solution, and the degree of softnessorpliability desired in the yarn, etc.

If the conditioning agent is to be applied to the yarn after spinning,this may be done by bringingthe yarn in contact with a wick, roll, orfelt wet therewith or the liquid may be applied by immersion, spray, orotherwise. The particular point at which the liquid is applied may vary.It may, for example, be appliedto the yarn outside or inside thespinning cabinet, between the guide and godet roll, between the godet orother roll or guide and the point of winding and/or twisting. In somecases, theliquid may even be applied to the yarn after winding ontocones, spools,

' bobbins, or the like, or by the so-called bobbin to bobb method. Inthe case of staple fibre manufacture, the liquidmay be applied to theyarn .prior to, or after cutting into staple length,

The amount of the agent so employed will vary widely depending upon theresults desired, the specific nature of the material to which the agentis applied, the use to which the yarn is eventually to'be' put and otherfactors. For example, in a given case where cellulose organic acid esteryarn such as yarn composed of cellulose acetate, is intended forknitting, about 4 to 25% or more by weight, based on the weight of thedry yarn, may be satisfactory, while if the yarn is intended forweaving, the amount may vary .between about 1 and 5%.

Of the above compositions, we have found that those of Examples V, VIII,and X, characterized by the presence therein oftetrahydrofurfuraldimethylal and thoseof Examples XIIIL and XIV,characterized by the presence therein of tetrahy drofurfuraldi-p'eethoiw-p-ethoxyethylal and tetrahydrofurfural di-p-methoxy ethylalrespectively, are unique in their ability to reduce or eliminateaccumulations of static electricity on yarns of the type herein referredto, particularly when such yarns are employed for the manufacture of cutstaple fibers. It is, therefore, one of the specific features of ourinvention to employ these compositions as anti-static agents generally,and specifically for the manufacture of cut staple yarns. In producingcut staple fibers, the selected composition may be deposited. on thefiber after the cutting operation in any convenient manner, as by aconventional type of applicator, by spray, immersion, or the like. Cutstaple fibers treated in this manner display a very marked reduction inthelrtendency to accumulate charges of static electricity and in manycases this tendency is substantially or completely eliminated.

Although in the above examples we have referred primarily to yarntreating compositions containing only the conditioning agent and an oil,other ingredientssuch as solvents, non-solvents, emulsifying agents,blending agents and the like, may be added within the scope of ourinvention. Likewise, various dyes or other coloring matter may beincluded in case it is desired to permanently or fugitively tint or dyethe material undergoing treatment.

Although we have found its convenient to illustrate our invention byreference to compositions containing specific percentages of the variousingredients, these percentages may vary widely depending upon theparticular purpose for'which the composition is intended. For example,if it is desired to control the solvent or softening action of theconditioning agent, the amount of the agent may be adjusted as, forexample, by reduc-' ing the amount of the agent and correspondinglyincreasing the amount of oil or other ingredient.

While we have described our invention with particular reference to thetreatment of yarns composed of organic derivatives of cellulose such ascellulose acetate, the conditioning agents and formulae described hereinare applicable to the conditioning of many other types of cellulosederivative yarns such as those composed of or conta ning cellulosepropionate, cellulose butyrate, cellulose acetate propionate, celluloseacetate. butyrate, ethyl cellulose, methyl cellulose, benzel celluloseand others, aswell as to the conditioning. of silk, wool, cotton,viscose and other natural or artificial materials.

The term yarn as used herein and in the claims is to be understood asincluding a single filament, a plurality of filaments associated intothe form of a thread,.either of high or low twist, single or multiplethreads associated or twisted together, composite threads composed of amixture of natural and artificial filaments or a composite thread formedby twisting together individual strands of natural or artificialmaterials, as well as cut staple fibers produced from natural and/orartificial filaments or threads and spun yarn produced from such staplefibers.

As indicated above, the yarn conditioning agents of our invention areexceptionally good solvents for a wide variety of mineral, blown andunblown, drying and semi-drying animal and of our invention possess manyoutstanding advantages. The fundamental and outstanding characteristicof the agents employed in accord,- ance with the invention is theirability to soften yarns, especially those composed of or containingorganic derivatives of cellulose such as cellulose acetate and renderthem soft and pliable and amenable to various textile operations,especially operations such as those involved in weaving and knittingwhere complicated designs or stitches are employed, without too drastican action on the yarn material. Another outstanding characteristic ofthese compounds is their exceptional solvent power for a wide variety ofmineral, animal and vegetable oils and their ability to act aslubricating assistants in conjunction with these oils when applied tosuch yarns. In addition, due to their solubility in water, they may bereadily removed from yarns and fabrics by means of the usual aqueousscour baths. By employing the yarn conditioning agents and method of ourinvention, as herein described, one is enabled to obtain highlysatisfactory results in the manufacture of yarns and woven fabrics andespecially the production from these yarns of closely knit fabrics freefrom defects such as pin holes, stitch distortion, laddering and thelike.

What we claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the UnitedStates is:

1. The process of conditioning yarn to render it more amenable totextile operations including knitting, weaving, spinning and the likewhich comprises applying thereto a lubricating and softening compositioncontaining an acetal of tetrahydrofurfural having the general formula:

GHQ-(1H2 0R CH2 CH-CH where R and R are organic radicals selected fromthe group consisting of alkyl and alkoxyalkyl groups.

2. The process of conditioning yarn composed of or containing organicderivatives of cellulose to render it more amenable to textileoperations including knitting, weaving, spinning and the like whichcomprises applying thereto a lubricating and softening compositioncontaining an acetal of tetrahydrofurfural having the general formula:Jug-0H2 0 R (:52 o H-O n\ where R. and R. are organic radicals selectedfrom the group consisting of alkyl and alkoxyalkyl groups.

3. The process of conditioning yarn composed of or containing celluloseacetate to render it more amenable to, textile operations includingknitting, weaving, spinning and the like, which comprises applyingthereto .a lubricating and softening composition containing an acetal oftetrahydrofurfural having the general formula:

where R and R are organic radicals selected from the group consisting ofalkyl and alkoxyalkyl groups. p

4. The process of conditioning yarn composed of or containing celluloseacetate to render it more amenable-to textile operations includingknitting, weaving, spinning and the like, which comprises applyingthereto a lubricating and softening composition containing an acetal oftetrahydrofurfural having the general formula:

05, CHCH where R and R are organic radicals selected from the groupconsisting of alkyl and alkoxyalkyl groups.

5. The process of conditioning yarn composed of or containing celluloseacetate to render it more amenable to textile operations includingknitting, weaving, spinning, and the like, which comprises applyingthereto a lubricating and softening composition containingtetrahydroiurfuraldipropylal.

6. The process of conditioning yarn composed of or containing celluloseacetate to render it more amenable to textile operations includingknitting, weaving, spinning, and the like, which comprises applyingthereto a lubricating and softening composition containingtetrahydrofurfuraldiethylal.

, '7. The process of conditioning yarn composed of or containingcellulose acetate to render it more amenable to textile operationsincluding knitting, weaving, spinning and the like, which comprisesapplying thereto a lubricating and softening composition containingtetrahydrofurfural di-fl-methoxyethylal.

8. A conditioning agent for rendering yarns more amenable to textileoperations including knitting, weaving, spinning and the like, whichcomprises an acetal of tetrahydrofurfural having the general formula:

ICHr-CH: CH: CH-CH where R and R are organic radicals selected from thegroup consisting of alkyl and alkoxyalkyl groups.

9. A conditioning agent for rendering textile yarns composed of orcontaining organic deriva- .tives of cellulose more amenable to textileoperations including knitting, weaving, spinning, and the like whichcomprises an acetal of tetrahydrofurfural having the general formula:

CHr-CH! OR CH1 CH-CH where R and R are organic radicals selected fromthe group consisting of alkyl-and alkoxyalkyl groups, and a textilelubricant.

10. A conditioning agent for rendering yarns composed of or containingcellulose acetate more amenable to textile operations includingknitting, weaving, spinning, and the like, containingtetrahydrofurfuraldipropylal.

11. A conditioning agent for rendering textile yarns composed of orcontaining cellulose acetate CHr-CH:

CH: CH-CH where R and R are organic radicals selected from the groupconsisting of alkyl and alkoxyalkyl groups.

14. Textile yarn composed of or containing organic derivatives ofcellulose amenable to textile operations including knitting, weaving,spinning, and the like, impregnated with a conditioning agent comprisingan acetal of tetrahydrofurfural having the general formula:

CH2 CH-CH where R. and R are organic radicals selected from the groupconsisting of alkyl and alkoxyalkyl groups.

15. Textileyarn composed of or containing organic derivatives ofcellulose amenable to textile operations including knitting, weaving,spinning, and the like, impregnated with a conditioning agent comprisingan acetal of tetrahydrofurfural having the general formula:

CHz-CHa where R. and R are organic radicals selected from the groupconsisting of alkyl and alkoxyalkyl groups, and a textile lubricant.

16. Textile yarns composed or or containing cellulose acetate amenableto textile operations including knitting, weaving, spinning and thelike, impregnated with a lubricant comprisingtetrahydrofurfuraldipropylal.

1'7. Textile yarns composed of or containing cellulose acetate amenableto textile operations including knitting, weavin spinning, and the like,impregnated with a lubricant comprising tetrahydrofurfuraldiethylal.

18. Textile yarns composed of or containing cellulose acetate amenableto textile operations including knitting, weaving, spinning, and thelike, impregnated with a lubricant comprisingtetrahydrofurfuraldi-p-methoxyethylal.

JOSEPH B. DICKEY, JAMES B. NORMINGTON.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION.

Patent No. 2,165,552. July 11; 1959. JOSEPH 13 DICKEY, ET AL.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specificationof the above numbered patentrequiring correction as follows: Page 2,second col um'n, line 71, for "V" read VI; line 75, for "XIIIL" readXIII; and that the said Letters Patent should be read withthiscorrection therein that the same may conform to the record. of the casein the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 19th day of September; A. D. 1959.

V .Henrj Van Arsdale, (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents.

